Gynecologists have a negative view of clitoral reconstruction after female genital mutilation

“Swedish gynecologists are a very polar group in terms of clitoral reconstruction, and our study is one of very few subjects,” says Malin Jordal, a researcher and senior lecturer in care sciences at the University of Gävle .

The researchers, who used in-depth interviews, found that some gynecologists had a very negative view of clitoral reconstruction after female genital mutilation. In Sweden, surgery and care have been focused on implanted women, that is when women are sewn closed, which in turn means that they must be opened to have birth or sex.

There has been little focus on sexuality and sexual health and we would like to clarify these issues now. “

Malin Jordal, Researcher, University of Gävle

Who is the expert?

The eight gynecologists who participated in the study will not perform clitoral reconstruction but perform other surgeries and are accustomed to working with cutaneous women.

Malin Jordal found that some gynecologists believed that cutting female genes does not significantly affect sexual health. Others were more skeptical of the idea that clitoral reconstruction could improve sexual health. Instead, they saw this as a psychological problem that can be solved in therapeutic conversations. The idea is that these women have influenced a course of conversation that positions them as mutilated. As a result, they see themselves as victims and that causes their problems.

“Here, the gynecologist becomes an expert, and there is little consideration in women’s feelings and opinions.”

There is very little to address

“There is very little to address the issue because it is sensitive,” Malin Jordal says. “And the last thing I want to do is stigmatize these women and make them victims. Interviews with women looking to perform reconstructive surgery show that they are trying to leave the identity of such a victim. They want to stop seeing themselves as victims and surgery. to be a way of rising up. “

Malin Jordal says she wants these women ‘s voices to be heard and that she aims to give them enough knowledge so that they can make an informed decision; some women experience improvement after surgery, at least in some areas, but others do not.

“Cut women want reconstructive surgery not only to improve their sexual health, but to feel better about themselves and look more normal. For me, it’s self. It is clear that these women should also be offered surgery. “

However, this does not mean that all women who want reconstructive surgery see themselves as victims. Many women in Sweden live with female genital mutilation today, and very few would even consider reconstructive surgery.

“I don’t want more women to feel that this is something they have to go through. That’s not what I’m aiming for,” Malin Jordal concludes.